David Oyelowo To Voice Scar In Disney Junior’s ‘The Lion Guard’

David Oyelowo is about to enter the lion’s den. The two-time Emmy nominee and Selma star is set to voice Scar, the villainous younger brother of Mufasa, in the new season of Disney Junior’s animated kids series The Lion Guard.

The actor will debut in the Season 2 opener “The Rise of Scar,” which premieres July 7. Scar will appear in the flames of a volcano after Kion (Max Charles), the second-born young son of Simba and Nala (Rob Lowe and Gabrielle Union), unwittingly summons him by using the Roar of the Elders in anger. Jeremy Irons voiced Scar in Disney’s 1994 smash The Lion King, on which Lion Guard is based.

The series follows the adventures of Kio and his diverse group of friends as they unite to protect the Pride Lands. Created for kids age 2-7 and their families, the stories are designed to communicate positive lessons about teamwork, community and diversity, Disney Junior said. Each episode incorporates Swahili words and phrases and includes original songs.